Program Description

The Cultural Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Moldova works to build mutual understanding between Moldovans and Americans. We do this through support of English-language instruction. Our English-language programming funds support English-language community in Moldova. Learning English for Moldovans is a route to economic empowerment and a gateway to an appreciation for US culture and society.

We offer grants for programs and activities that support English-language programs. Grants generally range from $ 5,000 to $ 45,000.

Strategic Priorities and Program Goals

Strategic Priority Themes for the 2019 financial year are:

Supporting Independent Voices

Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment

Effective Governance

Sharing American Values

We encourage innovative and creative proposals that go beyond just language-learning and use English as a medium to support the aforementioned themes.

The following are programs which will be given priority, all other things being equal. Included are reference links to program descriptions. Interested parties should send proposals to be an implementer of these programs. When relevant (i.e. a facilitated MOOC) we encourage you to consider American Spaces (Chisinau, Balti, Ceadir Lunga, Ungheni, and Tiraspol) as venues for facilitation. Alternatively, please consider use of the English Teaching Resource Centers in Comrat, Chisinau, Cahul, and Balti. These centers are located inside universities, and in some cases supported by U.S. Fulbright English Teaching Assistants.

Facilitated Massive Open Online Courses:

These MOOCs will help pre-intermediate to intermediate level learners improve their English skills in four major career fields. Each MOOC is five weeks in length, and each has a different facilitated course start date. After the start date of the first facilitated course, the MOOC is open for enrollment.

English for Business and Entrepreneurship

Improve your English skills to communicate ideas about either starting a new business or improving an existing business.

Regional workshops or activities, which would involve regional teachers (including Gagauzia and Transnistria);

Organizing English language summer camps for pre-service teachers and teachers;

English-Language Debate Clubs

Award Information

Funding Instrument Type: Grants or Fixed Amount Awards

Total Amount available: $130,000

Funding per grant: up to $45,000

Expected number of awards: 5-10

Expected award date is May 1, 2019.

The Department also reserves the right to award more or less funding as deemed in the best interest of the U.S. Government. The performance period for funded projects will generally be for up to 12 months. Recipients of funding under this announcement will be subject to the Department of State terms and conditions and the terms set forth in this announcement. Additional terms and conditions may apply as warranted. Quarterly or Semi-annual technical and financial reports may be required during the term of the project. A final assessment at the end of the project is mandatory for all grants.

Applicants are not required to include funding from other donors. However, applications that include additional in-kind and/or cash contributions from non-U.S. Government sources will be given extra consideration, as cost-sharing demonstrates a strong commitment to the planned activities and greater cost effectiveness.

Cost sharing may be in a certain percentage or amount, or may take the form of contributions of specified items or activities (e.g., provision of equipment).

Eligibility

Eligible applicants: Moldovan non-profit NGOs, American or International non-profit organizations which will partner with a Moldovan NGO or will benefit the Moldovan audience, individuals, Moldovan public institutions.

The U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section reserves the right to request additional background information on applicants that do not have previous experience administering federal grant awards, and these applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis.

Please note: The Department of State prohibits profit under its assistance awards to for-profit or commercial organizations. No funds will be paid as profit to any recipient. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The permissibility of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR Part 31, Cost Accounting Standards, and Part 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures. Program income earned by the recipient must be deducted from the total project or program allowable cost in determining the net allowable costs on which the federal share of costs is based.

Please note: No entity listed on the Excluded Parties List System in the System for Award Management (SAM) is eligible for any assistance or can participate in any activities under an award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR Part 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR Part 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.” All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Excluded Parties List System in SAM (www.sam.gov) to ensure that no ineligible entity is included.

The following types of projects are not eligible for funding:

Projects relating to partisan political activity;

Charitable or development activities;

Projects that support specific religious activities;

Fund-raising campaigns;

Lobbying for specific legislation or project;

Scientific research;

Building renovations;

Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;